AFL trading finale: Bombers busy at the end, picking up Duursma as Zerk-Thatcher gets to Port Adelaide

That’s all we have for you tonight everyone.

Thanks for joining us today and throughout trade period. I also need to give a huge thanks to all the people who helmed our trade blogs or helped behind the scenes with reporting, editing, production and other support.

We will have more AFL draft coverage in the weeks to come, so please keep visiting our sport pages for more stories.

Bye for now.

Hawthorn will hope a rag-tag group of recruits – including returning veteran Jack Gunston – can fast-track their ascent out of the bottom four.

After missing out on Ben McKay, Esava Ratugolea and Liam Henry, the Hawks still brought in an equal-trade period-high four players: Gunston, Jack Ginnivan, Mabior Chol and Massimo D’Ambrosio. Essendon, Sydney and Port Adelaide also scored four recruits.

Arrivals at Hawthorn: Mabior Chol, Jack Gunston, Jack Ginnivan and Massimo D’Ambrosio.Credit: Getty Images

In a hectic trade period for Sam Mitchell’s team, they also offloaded Tyler Brockman (West Coast), Jacob Koschitzke (Richmond) and Brandon Ryan (Brisbane), who joined Hawthorn as a mid-season draftee only five months ago.

Click here to read the story.

Xavier Duursma has declared his best footy is coming just as he pulls on the red and black Essendon jumper.

Duursma secured his move to the Dons in the final minutes of trade period tonight and will be back home in Victoria next season looking to take the Bombers back to the finals.

Xavier Duursma.Credit: Getty Images

“I’m very excited to join the Bombers, it’s been a stressful period of time but cannot wait to get started,” Duursma said.

“My best football is ahead of me, and I can’t wait to be pulling on the red and black, and running out in front of all the amazing Bomber fans.

“I want to thank the Port Adelaide football club for the opportunity to play AFL football and I am very grateful for my time with them.”

Hawthorn were quick to jump on the many Ginnivan family photos of young Jack as a Hawks fan after he was traded to the club today.

The pick of the bunch may well be the shot of a beaming Jack with then Hawks rover, now coach Sam Mitchell.

Essendon plans for Xavier Duursma to make a difference to their midfield after returning home to Victoria from Port Adelaide.

“We are very excited to have Xavier join the club. At 23 years old, he has a lot of good football ahead of him and we look forward to seeing him continue to develop at Essendon,” Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro said.

“Xavier is a dynamic midfielder with the endurance and speed to excel on the wing while also being able to play an inside midfielder role.

“We believe Xavier will really complement our midfield group and we look forward to seeing him in the red and black for years to come.”

Hawthorn list manager Mark McKenzie expects Massimo D’Ambrosio could be an impact player for the Hawks next season.

The 20-year-old secured a trade from Essendon in the final minutes of the trade period tonight.

“Armed with a penetrating left boot, we believe Massimo can become a dangerous player that can be used in a number of roles for us going forward,” McKenzie said.
“He reads the play incredibly well and has a great natural instinct, which we see as great weapons of his.

“At just 20 years of age, Massimo fits our list profile perfectly and we really excited about just what he can deliver for our club in the future.”

Player agent Tom McConville says his client Brandon Zerk-Thatcher will be rapt to be going home to South Australia.

When his plane to Europe lands in the coming hours.

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.Credit: Getty Images

McConville told AFL trade radio that his player had been warned the trade would go down the wire and he didn’t let them get in the way of his European holiday.

“He’s been great, laid back, relaxed and understood the process,” McConville told AFL trade radio.

“He will be a happy man when his plane lands.”

Xavier Duursma has joined the Bombers and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is now a Port Adelaide player after the last deal went through with the Bombers adding pick 73 and two future fourth round picks to what they hoped would be a straight swap.

Hawthorn have traded for Mabiol Chol and a third-round pick with Gold Coast to receive a future second-round pick [tied to Brisbane Lions].